John Proctor is a wealthy farmer who’s wife is accused of bewitching young girls and practicing witchcraft. Throughout the play John proves that he is a brave man. As soon as his wife is accused, John quickly goes to the court proceedings to denounce the trial and to reveal that the girls that accuse his wife are just pretending. Also that the only reason his wife was accused is because Abigail Williams, the leader of the accusers, had had an extra marital affair with John, and John said,” She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave!” (p.106). By saying this he admits to committing lechery, which is punished by death. This is just one of the times when John is courageous and puts his life before his wife’s. Soon after John is arrested for condemning the court, and for saying “I say-I say – God is dead” (p.115). The day of his hanging, there is unrest within the town. They town knew John to be a good man, and they could not believe that John would be killed. Knowing this, Reverend John Hale tries to convince John to admit to witchery. John eventually gives in and decides to falsely confess in order to save his life. Once he had verbally confessed the Judge ask John for a written confession. John writes it but upon being asked to sign it he refuses. Instead of confessing and incriminating all of his friends which have also been accused John tears the confession and is ultimately hung. This action shows that John is willing to die rather lie or incriminate his friends. These examples show that john is a brave man.
Abigail Williams is a young 17 year old girl. Abigail is the antagonist in the play and she is very courageous when it comes to blatantly lying. She is one of the many girls caught dancing in the forest and is the leader of the girls that go on a rampage of falsely accusing persons of bewitching them because of the need to settle scores with them. During the witchcraft trials Abigail stabs herself with a needle and falsely accuses Elizabeth Proctor, John’s wife, of sending her spirit to Abigail and stabbing her with her with a needle. Abigail knew that an accusation of witchcraft would put Elizabeth to hang, but she did it any way out of envy. This is proof that Abigail was very bold in lying and falsely accusing Elizabeth. In another instance during the trials, marry warren is brought in to testify against the girls. As Marry Warren is testifying that the girls were just sporting, Abigail, in a desperate move not to be uncovered says, “Why do you come yellow bird” (p110) and accuses Marry Warren of sending a Yellow bird to attack her. Marry Warren, terrified at the thought of being accused as well, changes her testimony and plays along with the other girls. This action brings down the accusation that the girls were sporting. Because of what Abigail did now all of the accused will be hung. Abigail of course shows no remorse. This once again proves that Abigail shows no fear when it comes to falsely accusing other people. Both of these examples show that Abigail bravely disregards any possible consequences.
John Proctor and Abigail Williams both show an amazing amount of bravery, valiant, and boldness. John Proctors bravery rose out of the need to not allow his wife to die for his extra marital affair and he ultimately paid with his life. Abigail Williams boldness rose out of a need to explain the dancing and the conjuring of spirits which she otherwise would have been whipped for, and the need take revenge upon Elizabeth for dismissing her from working at the Proctor home. Both John’s and Abigail’s Bravery is a result of their need to hide their sins and wrong doings
A LITERARY ANALYSIS ON BRAVERY IN THE CRUCIBLE
BY:MOSES PRECIADO
PER.1
MS.HAIG
10-1-05
HONORS AMERICAN LITERATURE/COMPOSITION
